La Promenade Publique
1792
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1792
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This busy outdoor scene shows a crowd of people in fancy 18th-century clothes. Men wear powdered wigs and coats, women have big skirts and hats. Some stand talking, others sit at tables or lean on chairs. In the center, a few people seem to be performing or playing music. The background has tall trees and a building, and the sky looks cloudy but bright. The artist used a mix of lines and shading to create depth, which makes the scene feel lively. The way they layered colors and textures gives it a soft, almost sketchy look. Check out how this was made using aquatint.
